Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A long day of treasure hunting and doing commissions around the town led our new crew to a relaxing evening back on their ship. “The sunset looks nice today!” Goob exclaimed while attempting to tie a knot to prepare to leave. “Oh, yeah! Sprout! Look!” Poppy called out to their Grand Captain and best friend…whose head was stuck in a spell book. Goob yoinked the book from him. “Hey! I was-” Sprout looked up at the sky. “Oh, yea, it is.”

“You know, Sprout, you’re always in that book of yours. Live a little!” Poppy smiled. “I might “always be in my book” but I’m better at magic than you.” Sprout pointed out. “Speaking of which, where in the world is Goob-”

“GOT OFF US!” An unfamiliar voice yelled from the lower deck. Goob, just in time, brought up three new people, hugging? Them tightly as they kicked about to be let go. “What the- Goob?! Where did they come from?” Sprout asked, concerned and slightly annoyed. Goob had…a habit of bringing things on the ship they didn’t need. “Well, I was putting away your book and you know, these guys where there trying to take the healing potion you were working on last week.” Goob explained, putting the strangers and possible thieves down. “WHAT?!” Sprout yelled. The strangers squirmed back in fear. “Just who do you think you are?” 

“C-Cosmo! I am Cosmo Sweets!” The pastery yelled back proudly. “Cosmo, what the flip.” One of the girls behind him sighed. “No, Shelly! If the amazing Grand Captain Sprout Seedly can yell at me, I can do the-” 

Shing!

A silver blade was at Cosmo’s throat. “Woah, Sprout! Let’s not get violent!” Poppy tried to stop him. “Plus, we don’t even know if they stole the potion!”

“Poppy. The dude has the potion in his hand.” Sprout pointed out. “W-Well, we don’t know why they took it…?” Poppy tried to help them. Sprout rolled his eyes and put away his sword. “Fine! Why are you guys even here?” Sprout asked annoyed. “Well, we have a problem…” Shelly started to explain. “Cosmo’s cousin, Ginger here is, well crumbling…” She said, nodding over to the other girl, “And you know, we heard rumors, about the potion. Cosmo had the idea and well, we’re here.”

“Crumbling? What do you mean- oh my lord.” Poppy looked over at ginger, whose eye and most of her mouth was completely gone. “Sprout you gotta help them!” She exclaimed. Sprout sighed, seeing the damage. “Well…fine. But I won’t let this go unpunished. I worked to get those ingredients for years.” Sprout glared at Cosmo, who gave him a equally angry expression back.

…

By the time the next day rolled around, Cosmo, Shelly and Ginger found themselves in the cold, damp cell in the bottom of the ship. “Cosmo, I will never hear you out on an idea ever again.” Ginger said. She had started to regain her mouth. “At least Sprout wasn’t heartless…? And we’ll finally have something to do this summer!” Shelly tried to look on the bright side. “Shelly, don’t.” Cosmo glared. “We’re stuck here until Ginger gets better and then we’ll be stuck washing decks until we DIE!” Cosmo yelled. “No one is going to die, Cosmo. It’s just for a year.” Ginger explained.

“And also, you can’t complain! Who’s the one that came up with this, hm?!” Ginger asked. “Okay, well, me. But you guys encouraged the idea!” Cosmo frowned. Ginger and Shelly had no response.  Suddenly, the trio heard footsteps and stopped their bickering. “Pssst! Hey!” Poppy whispered. “Oh! Hey, uhm, Poppy, is it?” Shelly greeted. “Yep! That’s me! So uhm…I’m not really suppose to do this but…” Poppy pulled out a big tray of food. “Sprout was saying some crazy things that got me worried about you guys…” 

“O-Oh my! Thank you!” Shelly exclaimed. “Not a problem! How’s that eye looking, Ginger?” She asked, checking in on her. “Good.” She replied, a small smile on her face. 

“Poppy? Where are you?” Sprout yelled for her followed by footsteps towards them. “What are you doing down here?” He came around the corner. “Oh! Hey Sprout! I was just, uh, making sure our prisoners weren’t dead already! And look, they aren’t!” She explained. “I don’t believe a fairy can die overnight…” Sprout frowned, mentioning Shelly. “Oh, well! Silly old me! How could I forget! Haha…” Poppy laughed nervously.

“You do this every time we have to punish someone…” Sprout pinched the bridge of his nose, annoyed at Poppy’s kindness. “Hey! You were planning to starve us to death!” Cosmo yelled through the cell. “Yeah. I was. I don’t want you petty thieves working on my ship.” Sprout sighed. “Well…” Cosmo thought for a moment. “I’ll work for all three of our debts!” Cosmo announced. “What…?”

“I’ll do the work of all three of us so you are forced to see me more!” Cosmo gave Sprout a semi-evil grin. “Sure, go to town, I suppose.” Sprout still looked grumpy. 

You see, Cosmo was stubborn and quite possibly stupid. Sprout was spiteful and also stupid. But deep down, Cosmo knew he was responsible for getting the girls into this mess. He felt guilty that they now had to work for an entire year of their lives. His guilt turned to anger and hatred towards Sprout, who also hid an unshakable feeling. Fear. 

Fear he wasn’t too brutal and ruthless as a captain. Fear that he couldn’t protect Poppy and Goob.

The fear that he couldn't be a good person…

Chapter Text

Summer.

It was nice. A time where Cosmo, Shelly and Ginger played around in the hot sand on the small beach in their town. Festivals, parties, and performances were almost everyday. The woods filled with fireflies at night and roasting smores by firelight. All to end the day sleeping under the stars…

But not this year.

Cosmo groaned. It was hot but and the waves and cleaning didn’t help. The three had been on the ship for a month now and Cosmo hated everything. Sprout, the heat, Shelly and Poppy constantly offering to help him. He could do it himself! It sucked, sure, but he could do it! 

Meanwhile, Sprout too hated everything. Cosmo, how fast he worked on his seemingly impossible tasks, how nice Poppy and Goob were to their unwelcomed crew members. Two of them don’t even do anything! But now wasn’t the time to worry about them. He had to plan their next saving mission quickly. He had saved Poppy and Goob from Dandy’s island a year ago. Somehow, he learned to control the Ichor poisoning and got himself a pretty cool but painful body upgrade. 

“Poppy, Goob! Come here for a second…” Sprout called for them as they played cards on the deck with Shelly and Ginger. Poppy sighed. “Gotta do captain business! Be right back—And don’t cheat!” 

“What’s up?” Poppy asked Sprout. “Well, we haven’t saved anyone from Dandy’s Island in a while…” He mentioned. “Sprout, you know what happened last time.” Goob tried to convince him out of it. “But that defeats the purpose of why were here in the first place! We have to save them and bring Gardenview back!” Sprout said. “Sprout, no.”

“Well…I call a Grand Captain order! We will be going to his Island. And we will save at least one of our crewmates.” Sprout declared. “WHAT?! You can’t do that!” Poppy exclaimed. “Poppy, once you think about it, Sprout’s right. We need to start saving people if we’re going to get back Gardenview.” Goob agreed. “But you know how dangerous it is out there!” She protested. “Pfft- I’ll be fine. Besides, I could totally go for a solo run if needed.”

“Poppy! We Need help!” Shelly exclaimed. “What’s going on?” Sprout asked. “Cosmo fainted!”

.   .   .  

Cosmo was welcomed back into the world on an actual bed with a cold towel on his forehead. He quickly got up, looking around. The bedroom was basically a laboratory, with Sprout at a desk, working on some liquids. “Don’t touch anything. You can rest here for the day, I guess. It’s gonna be hot like that all day.” Sprout said. “Thanks.” Cosmo muttered, looking around. “So…what are you working on?” He asked, getting up. “Ichor poisoning prevention.” Sprout muttered back, too absorbed in his work. 

“...And you just drank that…?” Cosmo asked after Sprout threw back a shoot of potion. “Yeah it’s for me.” He sighed. “Hate it but at least I’m claimed by a god.” Sprout shrugged, going back to making more shot bottles. “Claimed by a god?” Cosmo asked. “WAIT YOU’RE A–”

“Yes. I’m a main toon, now shut it?” Sprout asked, going back to his work. “Sorry! I didn’t know the rumors were true…” Cosmo explained. “Rumors? Ha! Just wait till you meet Vee.” Sprout smiled and sighed. “You know…Shelly’s a main toon too.” Cosmo tried to start a conversation. He didn’t know why he was talking to some guy he kinda hated. Well, Cosmo was mad at the guy but hated him? He wasn’t sure anymore. 

Chapter Text

Today was a normal day on Gardenview. The sudden heat wave had passed and everyone was having a decent time. A dove flew over the ship with a letter. “Oh! M-mari? What are you doing here?” Sprout nervously opened the letter. “COSMO! GET UNDER THE DECK RIGHT NOW!” Sprout yelled after reading. “What? Whats going on-” 

“No time for questions! Go!” Sprout pushed him. “Woah Sprout! What’s got you all worked up?” Poppy asked. “You see, as, I, a main toon, am a little afraid of my god…” Sprout confessed. “Don’t get me wrong! She’s cool and all but you know…a tiny lapse in judgement from like a month ago might get me smited.” He admitted. “Smited? Sprout, what have you gotten yourself into?!” Shelly asked him. “I was mad, okay?! Still am, but that’ not important right now-” 

Sprout was interrupted by the sound of angelic voices. “Everyone! Be calm and act like Cosmo doesn’t exist!” He announced as a ginger-haired goddess and a shorter golden haired goddess appeared out of nowhere. The dove flew to the purple god. “Oh, Mari! I knew you could do it!” The goddess praised the dove. “Now, how’s my favorite crew doing?”

“SHANON!” Shelly greeted the golden goddess. “Shelly! It’s good to see you again! Oh! There’s Ginger! You guys are pirates now? And Where’s Cosmo?” Shanon asked. Shelly looked over at Sprout, who mouthed “smited” with a worried expression. “Uhh, me and Ginger needed summer work!” Shelly explained. “And you know Cosmo, too busy taking care of his mother’s bakery!” She nervously laughed. 

What. is. Going. On?!

Cosmo sat behind the door to the lower decks. He knew Shelly’s goddess from her unannounced visits all the time. Was the other one Sprout’s god? Suddenly, footsteps came to the door. “Sam! Uh, you don’t wanna go down there! It’s like, A mess! A big one actually!” Sprout tried to explain. Sam?! Like the greatest pirate of all time, Samatha?! Cosmo held his breath. He now understood why Sprout was scared of being smited. 

“Sprout…you should really stop trying to trick me, you know.” Sam  sighed and opened the door. “Hello, Cosmo.” Sam greeted him with a gentle smile. “Oh! Uh, Hello! Your Highness! God-ness?” Cosmo tried to respect him. 

.  .  .  

Sam and Sprout were now in Sprout’s room, the silence was tense. “So…mind telling me what’s been going on?” Sam asked. “I got angry…again.” Sprout started. “I was going to release them after our next trip to Dandy’s Island but…” He sighed. 

“But?” Sam asked. “I don’t know. Those ingredients took years to get together.” Sprout sat down. “They shouldn’t have…the Everlasting Flower is everywhere-” Sam said. “No, it’s not! Dandy took them all! Literally! You can only find it on his Island and every other special herb in that thing is now his.” Sprout frowned. “You would know if you checked on me more…”

“Sprout, you know I try. But there’s other crews that need watched over and this whole Dandy situation is worrying us all.” Sam tried to explain her absence. “I know,” He sighed. “I don’t want us to end up like Astro and Austin...” Sprout looked away. “Another thing, Cosmo wants to work! Just to piss me off!” And just as quickly, Sprout went back on his rant.

Sam laughed. “This isn’t funny!” Sprout pouted. “Oh, I know! It’s just that you remind me so much of the old days…” Sam remarked. “Yeah yeah…” Sprout brushed him off. “I just…the help is appreciated. And I still hate his guts! I have no clue what to do!” Sprout puffed. “If i just let him off the hook, I’d be spineless and if i don’t, I’d be heartless!”

“Well…may I join you on your voyage for a little? I can get to know Cosmo better and I’ll help you with your decision.” Sam requested. “Why are you even asking? You’re the god here.” 

“Oh, yeah. I am.” Sam shrugged. 

.  .  .  

“Here you guys go! A fresh batch of cookies!” Cosmo came out with a tray of cookies. “Oooh! Cookies!” Goob used his arms to grab a couple cookies. As everyone gathered for cookies, Sprout and Sam finished their meeting and came up to the main deck with everyone. “Oh! Looks like there’s one cookie left! Here you go Sam! Gods first, am I right?” Cosmo offered her a cookie.

“Aw, man! Seems I didn’t make enough cookies…” Cosmo remarked. “Better luck next time, Captain!” Cosmo went on his way to put back the tray. “You mother fucker!” Sprout yelled at him. “Oh! Did I do something wrong?” Cosmo asked. “You made less cookies just so I couldn’t get one!” Sprout blamed. “Come on, Sprout, he didn’t mean too.” Sam tried to reason with his argument but the shit-eating fake smile on Cosmo’s face said otherwise. Sprout’s right arm started to turn black and grew as he tried to slap Cosmo. Cosmo quickly blocked his freaky arm with the tray. “Calm down, Captain! It’s just a cookie!” Cosmo remarked sarcastically. “Ow…” Sprout muttered. 

“You need to work on that temper, Seedly.” Sam nudged Sprout. “Okay, Mclaughin.” He frowned, holding his arm and walking off.

Chapter Text

“You ready, Sprout?” Sam asked as the ship was nearing the coast of Dandy’s island. “Pfft- Of course, not like I haven't done it before.” He shrugged, getting his arsenal of Ichor healing potions and sword ready. “Poppy! Goob! You two ready?...” Sprout looked over at the two. They were obviously more nervous than ever. “Oh uhm….hey, Sprout!” Poppy tried to be cheerful. 

“Remember how you said you would do a solo run if we weren’t ready…?” Goob asked hesitantly. “Yeah I did say that…are you two okay?” Sprout asked. The two look at each other and towards the island. “It’s just that…we’re more susceptible to the poisoning, right?! He’s going to get us-” 

“Poppy.” Sprout said, not mad or hurt. He rested his hand on her hand on her shoulder. “I get it. You can stay here if it makes you more comfortable.” He sighed. Dandy had put up a border so the gods can’t enter (Sprout needed that magic for his room), meaning that he would truly be going alone. Sprout immediately didn't want to do this anymore.

“Hey, Cosmo!” Sam exclaimed. “You’re an archer, right?” She asked him. Cosmo looked up from his cleaning. “Oh, yeah. I’m decent. Why do you ask?” Cosmo asked. “Go with Sprout on a run! He’lll be alone and I would hate to have him hurt!” Sam explained. Sprout whipped his head around.

“WHAT?!”

.  .  .  

Cosmo and Sprout were now off the ship and on the beach that surrounded the island. Sprout really didn't want to do this run now. “Welp! We can do this, right Seedly?” Cosmo reassured. “Don’t call me that.” Sprout frowned. “Now can you cut out the asshole act and lock the fuck in? Thank you.” Sprout gave him a very serious glare. The two progressed deeper into the island and made it to a forest without saying a word. Once they got to a safer clearing, Cosmo spoke.

“So uh, where is everyone?” He asked looking around. “Don’t know. That’s why I have this.” Sprout pulled out an air horn. “What?! Are you crazy?! Don’t set that thing off!” Cosmo tried to snatch it away. “No! We need them to come to us! Quit!” Sprout, taking advantage of his height, put his hand up to get the air horn away from Cosmo. With one accidental reach from Cosmo, Sprout pressed the air horn. 

“See?! Look what you did!” Sprout yelled at Cosmo. “Me? You planned to set it off in the first place!” Cosmo replied, just as angry. The two began to argue more, getting louder than the short air horn blow. Cosmo felt a dark shadow over him. He looked up from their argument to see a very deformed dog with lanky legs. 

“Sprout….” Cosmo went quite. “What?! Oh.” Sprout looked up at the dog. Along with it, a smaller rainbow flower had him on a leash. “Sprout!” He greeted cheerfully, going in for a hug. “Don’t touch me.” Sprout pushed him away. “Oh! And I haven’t seen you on this island before!” The flower tilted his head at Cosmo. “H-He has been here for a while.” Sprout covered for him. “Really? Oh, well! You know me! I just have so many friends, I forget who’s who!” He laughed. 

“Dandy…do you know where our other friends are?” Sprout asked, faking a smile. “Hmm…you’re talking more than usual…” Dandy pointed out. “Just answer the god damn question!” Sprout yelled at Dandy, dropping the act. The smile left Dandy’s face immediately. “You look different…where’s your ichor?” He asked. “Stop! Where are they?!” Sprout tried to get him off. Suddenly, Cosmo saw it. Three sets of red eyes from the darkness around them.

“There they are!” Dandy smiled. “You must not be the real Sprout so…I called for some help!” Dandy smiled sickly. “Be lucky I didn’t get Pebble on you!” Dandy skipped away, leaving the two with three twisted's on them. 

“Okay, I got an idea! You can shoot things in the air, right?” Sprout asked. “Uh. yeah.” Cosmo panicked. “Good, I’ll throw it and you shoot. Got it?” Cosmo shrugged, getting his bow ready. Breath, Cosmo. You got this!

Cosmo calmed himself and shot flying potion bottles with scary accuracy. The two watched as the potion splashed on them and Ichor dissolved from the twisted. “Oh lord…” Sprout walked over to the smaller toon. “That’s a fucking child.” Cosmo said, the realization of Dandy’s crimes coming on him. “Yeah. Help me out with taking them back to the ship?” 

.  .  .  

“SPROUT!” Poppy yelled from the ship as him and Cosmo came back. The sun was starting to set. Sprout waved from the beach. “How was it? Are you hurt?” Poppy assessed Sprout. “Yeah I’m good.” He sighed. Poppy quickly turned to Cosmo. “What about you? Are you okay? Did Sprout stab you or anything?!” Poppy questioned. “No! No! We…called a truce. Just this once.” Comso replied, looking back at Sprout who smiled softly back at him. 

Chapter Text

Dinner was done and everyone was on their way to bed. Everyone except Cosmo, of course. The work of three people for a year was, well, hard. But not now. Cosmo noticed a couple bad ropes on the deck and thought to fix them. Well, after Sprout’s constant refusal of ship work because “inexperience and stupidity”, Cosmo could never put in any order for it. 

Cosmo, new ropes in hand, went out to the deck. It was dark outside and a flicker of light came from the corner of the deck. “Who’s there?!” Cosmo quickly summoned his bow again. “Woah. It’s just me.” The figure got up. “Oh…Sprout? What are you doing here?” Cosmo asked. “Same goes for you. Tryna kill me or something?” Sprout asked, flicking on his lighter to see Cosmo with new ropes. “Uh…well, no. I was gonna change some bad ropes.” Cosmo explained. 

Sprout raised an eyebrow. “What do you know about changing ropes?” He asked. “Poppy taught me.” Cosmo replied. “Okay…”

Poppy doesn’t know…well, i don't care enough right now…

“Well, what are you doing up?” Cosmo asked. “Avoiding nightmares, needed a smoke too.” Sprout got back to his flimsy lighter. “Does Sam know you do that crap? You know it’ll kill you one day.” Cosmo warned him. “Yeah she hates it. Besides, I only do it after runs.” he said, laying down on the floor. Cosmo looked down at him. “What? You want one?” Sprout offered.

“Never tried it…” Cosmo sat next to him. “Stars look nice though…” He sighed. “Oh yeah. They do.” Sprout said, taking a drag and blowing the smoke at Cosmo’s face and laughing. “HEY!” Cosmo pushed him. “What? You wanted to try it.” Sprout shrugged. “NO??? I DID NOT!” Cosmo coughed. “Welp! Suit yourself.” Sprout sighed, looking back up at the stars. He frowned, knowing that it was time to ask Cosmo if he wanted to stay or not. He was medium annoying but he could be a half-decent cabin boy. 

“So, uh, when do you want to go home?” Sprout asked him. “What? I thought you said-” Cosmo started but Sprout quickly interrupted. “Yeah, yeah, I know what I said. But to be completely honest, I got the stuff to make the potion again while we were on Dandy’s island so I don’t need you anymore.” Sprout explained. Something in Cosmo kinda cracked. On one hand, he hated pirates, Sprout, and working a ton. But on the other, it was nights like this that made him want to stay. His mother had written letters about how well the bakery was doing so he wouldn’t have to worry about that too much. But at the same time, what if he came back…

“I don’t know…” Cosmo finally said after a long moment of silence. Sprout groaned. “You’re killing me, Sweets.” He said. “Huh?” Cosmo looked down at him. “You really hate me that much?” Cosmo asked. “Yes. No? Fuck, feelings are hard.” Sprout realized. “Do you want me here?” Cosmo asked. “I mean, yeah, you help out. But you’re an asshole. And only to me!” Sprout admitted.

“Well, to be honest, I hate pirates.” Cosmo looked away, a painful memory coming back. “The whole reason I got into this mess was because of one of them.” He explained. “What do you mean?” Sprout sat up. “A pirate cursed Ginger and near beat her to death. I tried nursing her but the curse was too strong…” Cosmo said. “Oh! Who was it? We have nothing to do so….” Sprout suggested. “You know Captain Sweets?” 

“Yeah, we’ve met a couple of times. Hold up…” Sprout thought for a second. Cosmo Sweets…Captain Sweets…

“Is that your dad?” Sprout asked. “No. Well, not a good one.” Cosmo frowned.

The two continued to talk about random things. Cosmo’s bakery at home, Garden view before Dandy…well, went crazy, stars, wave sounds and lots more…